The US-800 flac file is no longer available. that's ok hey goodcooker, what are you're general impressions about the 800? How's it sound? How does it sound compared to the stock DR-2? How easy is it to use in field? Size ok or is it on the big side? I'm looking to pair it with a DR-680 for a secondary digital input but was thinkinh the 600 might be a better choice because of size, any feedback on that?
Kinda late on this one but here's my impressions anyway if anyone is interested.
I think the preamps sounds comparable to the DR680.
The settings for the device are set to some unusual defaults in standalone mode. The only way to get a stereo mixdown from all six analog outs is the headphone out. The 1/2 inputs default to the RCA outs and inputs 3/4 to the digital out.
The clock defaulting to 44.1 kHz in standalone is no big deal to me since I always record at 24/44.1 anyway.
It's very lightweight. The gain knobs are a little close together. Two inputs on the front, everything else in the back.
I've been having driver issues with it when using it as a laptop interface (my main intended purpose) and it's starting to piss me off. Also only inputs 1/2 show up as in/outs in Wavelab and Audition 1.5. Haven't tried Cubase yet but might give it a go since reports from users say they multitrack with it. Every once in a while the thing freaks out and stops being recognized as a I/O device. I would not trust it in the field for multi tracking on my computer...which I had also hoped to do...but in standalone it obviously is not using the drivers and works fine.
It's fairly power hungry I think. I haven't done a runtime test on my current 5V battery but it put a dent in it based on the recharge time of the battery.